Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the effect of personal independence payments assessments on carers of people with disabilities.

Carer’s Allowance (CA) provides a measure of financial support and recognition for people who give up the opportunity of full-time employment in order to provide regular and substantial care for a severely disabled person. In order for CA to be paid, the disabled person must be in receipt of a “gateway benefit” which includes the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Once a claim to Personal Independence Payment for the disabled person has been awarded, CA may be backdated to the date payment started. In order to have a claim to CA backdated, it must be made within three months of the decision on the disability benefit claim, and the qualifying conditions for CA must be satisfied throughout the past period.

Since 2010 the rate of CA has increased from £53.90 to £62.70 a week, meaning an additional £450 a year for carers. In April 2018, a further increase to £64.60 is planned. This will mean that since 2010, the rate of CA will have increased by over £550 a year. Carers also have access to the full range of social security benefits according to their circumstances.